McCain seems well suited to deal with this kind of evil — precisely because he would diagnose it as evil.

This is a moment of rich political paradox. McCain’s stubbornness on Iraq is transformed by the calendar into courage. The issue that was supposed to dominate the campaign and destroy the Republicans has helped to elevate a strong Republican candidate. And in spite of past bad blood between President Bush and McCain, it was Bush’s decision on the surge that allowed McCain’s remarkable comeback. If we ever see a President McCain, he will have President Bush to thank.

For all the talk about the influence of money and organisation on politics, the McCain revival demonstrates that issues and political character still matter. McCain argued year after year, with Churchillian bullheadedness, that America needed a more aggressive and sophisticated counterinsurgency strategy in Iraq. Occasionally, there are political rewards for simply being right.

McCain has other advantages as a candidate. The narrative arc of his ‘No Surrender’ presidential campaign — early challenge overcome by tenacity and confidence — perfectly fits his own story. He is the Naval Academy rebel, the defiant prisoner, the wounded patriot, the stubborn legislator, the restless reformer. He cannot assume that Americans know any of this. One of his main tasks will be to inform them.

In the general election, his ideological heresies will suddenly transform into strengths. Because of his immigration views, he is the only Republican candidate who can make a serious appeal to Hispanic voters. His positions on global warming and campaign finance reform will ease his outreach to independents.

... contd.